Professor Richard Kaner, the UCLA Dr. Myung Ki Hong Endowed Chair in Materials Innovation, delivered his 2025 ACS Basolo Award lecture on Nov. 7 at Northwestern University’s Technological Institute in Chicago. He was selected as the 2025 ACS Basolo Medalist by the Northwestern Department of Chemistry faculty in recognition of his groundbreaking and influential contributions to inorganic chemistry.
The award, given by Northwestern University and cosponsored by the American Chemical Society (ACS) Chicago Section, is named for the late Fred Basolo, who was Charles E. & Emma H. Morrison Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at Northwestern and 1983 ACS president.
Professor Omar K. Farha (B.S. ’02, Ph.D. ’06), chair of Northwestern’s chemistry department and the 2023 UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Alumni Award recipient, presented Kaner with the medal. UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry Department Chair Professor Alex Spokoyny traveled to Chicago to attend the lecture and dinner.
A distinguished professor of chemistry and materials science and engineering, Kaner’s trailblazing research spans conductive polymers (such as polyaniline), superhard materials, and advanced carbon compounds, including fullerenes and graphene. His work has not only advanced fundamental science but also led to impactful innovations in materials science and engineering.
Photos courtesy of Northwestern University’s Department of Chemistry.
Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penjen@g.ucla.edu.
